A method for generating optically machine readable code is provided. The method includes capturing an image with a user device, automatically generating, by the user device, an optically machine readable code comprising information about the image recorded during the capturing of the image, and associating the optically machine readable code and the image. A computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs and an apparatus are also provided.

Embodiments of the invention include an apparatus, a computer-implemented method, and a computer program product for branding a quick response code onto a surface. Aspects of the invention include a branding device having a plurality of thermoelectric devices on a substrate. Each of the thermoelectric devices is arranged on the substrate as a single bit in a quick response pattern. Each of the thermoelectric devices includes an n-type thermoelectric element electrically coupled to a p-type thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric elements can be individually heated or cooled using the Peltier effect.

A method for retiring a RFID copy sheet using an imaging device having a scanner system and a printer system, each system having a RFID reader programmer. The RFID copy sheet to be retired is scanned using one of the RFID reader programmers. After determining that the user is authorized to retire the RFID copy sheet, the RFID copy sheet is rescanned by a RFID reader programmer and its associated RFID tag is reprogrammed to indicate that the RFID copy sheet is retired. Document control of the retired RFID copy sheet may also be provided using a document lifecycle database that is updated with the retired status of the RFID copy sheet.

A method of managing reuse of a returnable bottle is disclosed. The method individually manages returnable bottles so as to manage reuse linked with their individual states of use and thereby enable reusable bottles to be separated from other bottles in a scientific manner. The method comprises, at the time of new production of a returnable bottle body, forming on a bottle body surface a product identification mark part engraved with an identification code as product identification data of the bottle body, reading the product identification mark part and writing and storing the product, identification data of the bottle body in the storage medium linked with individual transport state data relating to transport of the bottle body, and judging permission for continued reuse of the bottle body based on the individual transport state data stored in the storage medium.

A plastic injection security label and manufacturing method of the same may comprise a mold having a pair of die sets, and at least one of the two die sets has a molding cavity formed on an inner surface thereof. The surface of the molding cavity has a plurality of nicks formed by the laser engraving machine at partial positions thereof, and the engraved nicks are arranged into a designed image or code to form a label generating area on the surface of the molding cavity. In the manufacturing process, after the die sets are coupled together, the plastic material is injected into the mold and filled with the molding cavity and the nicks of the label generating area, and a plastic product with the security label is integrally formed after the plastic material is cooled and solidified.

A method of manufacturing a metal product includes forming a first identification code onto a surface of a metal member with a laser beam, the first identification code being readable under a first reading condition, and heating the metal member on which the identification code is formed. The method further includes reading the first identification code with a reading device, and forming a second identification code onto the surface of the metal member subsequent to the heating with a laser beam based on the first identification code which is read with the reading device. The second identification code is readable under a second reading condition different from the first reading condition.

Systems and methods for generating machine-readable symbols on surfaces of objects using laser marking systems and processes. A specialized contour fill pattern for a laser beam path may be used that combines modules of a machine-readable symbol into bounded blocks or islands according to adjacencies and/or according to role (e.g., finder pattern, timing pattern, encoded payload data). In some implementations, the islands of modules may be filled using a laser beam path that traverses contour path lines from inner path lines to outer path lines. Once the islands have been generated during pre-processing, they are sorted to reduce the required time for the laser to jump (i.e., move with the laser turned off) from one island to a subsequent island to be filled. A filling pattern for bounded areas with sharp corners (e.g., squares, rectangles) may be simplified by rounding corners to optimize speed while maintaining suitable marking quality.

Apparatus related to marking a metal surface are provided. The solution includes a bed for an object including a metal surface, the bed including a total marking area; a cover forming an airtight space over the bed; one or more laser marking units capable of directing a laser beam onto the metal surface located within a unit marking area, wherein the unit marking area is smaller than the total marking area. In the proposed solution control data including information on the marking of a pattern on the metal surface is received; the focus, bandwidth and movement of the one or more laser marking units is controlled on the basis of the control data to produce the pattern defined in the control data on the metal surface.

An image forming apparatus includes a first image forming unit configured to form an image with a decolorable material, a second image forming unit configured to form an image with a non-decolorable material, an RFID processor configured to write data in an RFID tag, a memory unit for storing a table indicating one or more attributes associated with the decolorable material and one or more attributes associated with the non-decolorable material, and a controller configured to control the first image forming unit to carry out image forming on a medium including the RFID tag for information of which attribute is associated with the decolorable material in the table, and control the second image forming unit to carry out image forming on the medium for information of which attribute is associated with the non-decolorable material in the table.

A system and method for manufacturing a strip or label used to place a substantially invisible identifying mark is disclosed. A strip is treated by removing at least one area of a liner element, a film layer and an adhesive layer. Each one of the removed areas is substantially congruent with the other removed areas. A laser or other ablating device is used to remove the areas through vaporization. The strip element is peeled away from the liner element, exposing the adhesive layer. The adhesive layer is thereafter pressed against a substantially flat metal surface. The laminate top coat and the film layer are removed from the object, leaving the adhesive layer in place. The adhesive material is impregnated with a UV sensitive material, but is otherwise invisible.